User manual MASTERCRAFT MAXIMUM

[. . . ] Informative manual answers questions on theory, hookups and uses - enhances resale value, too!Power switch cuts the MAXIMUM active antenna in and out of the antenna line with no need to change cables. Runs on a standard 9 volt battery! MAXIMUM · 1 PARTIAL LIST OF AVAILABLE KITS MASTERCRAFT TRANSMITTER KITS · FM10, FM25B FM Stereo Transmitters · FM100 Super Pro FM Transmitter · MR6 Model Rocket Tracking Transmitter · AM1, AM25 AM Transmitters MASTERCRAFT RECEIVER KITS · FR1 FM Broadcast Receiver · AR1 Aircraft Band Receiver · SR2 Shortwave Receiver · HFRC 10 MHz WWV Receiver · SC1 Shortwave Converter MASTERCRAFT HOBBY KITS · SG7 Personal Speed Radar · SS70A Speech Scrambler ·TG1 DTMF Tone Grabber · BS1 "Bullshooter" Digital Voice Storage Unit · AVS10 Automatic Sequential Video Switcher · WCT20 Cable Wizard Cable Tracer · MD3 Microwave Motion Detector · ML Music Lights Kit · LC1 Inductance-Capacitance Meter MASTERCRAFT AMATEUR RADIO KITS · HR Series HF All Mode Receivers · QRP Series HF CW Transmitters · CW7 CW Keyer · QRP Power Amplifiers MASTERCRAFT MINI-KITS Many other kits are available for hobby, school, scouts and just plain FUN. Write or call for our free Ramsey catalog. MAXIMUM ACTIVE ANTENNA KIT INSTRUCTION MANUAL Ramsey Electronics publication No. [. . . ] CAPACITORS 1 100 pF disc capacitor (marked 100 or 101) [C3] 4 . 01 µF disc capacitor (marked . 01, 103 or 10nF) [C1, C2, C5, C6] 1 4. 7 µF to 10 uF electrolytic capacitor [C4] RESISTORS 1 100 ohm (brown-black-brown) [R4] 2 100K ohm (brown-black-yellow) [R3, R6] 1 220K ohm (red-red-yellow) [R2] 1 1M ohm (brown-black-green) [R1] 1 10K ohm PC mount potentiometer [R5] SEMICONDUCTORS 1 Dual gate MOSFET transistor (4 pins) [Q1] 1 2SC2498 or 2570 NPN VHF transistor [Q2] CONTROLS AND HARDWARE 2 DPDT push switches [S1, S2] 2 PCB- mounted RCA jacks [J1, J2] 1 9 volt battery hold-down clamp 1 9 volt battery snap connector 1 Telescoping whip antenna with mounting screw REQUIRED, NOT SUPPLIED 1 9 volt battery (alkaline or heavy-duty) OPTIONAL 1 Ramsey case and knob kit, or your own enclosure 1 LED "power on" indicator and 1K ohm resistor 1 External antenna terminated in RCA-type plug REQUIRED TOOLS Soldering Iron (Radio Shack #RS64-2072) Thin Rosin Core Solder (RS64-025) MAXIMUM · 6 Needle Nose Pliers (RS64-1844) Small Diagonal Cutters (RS64-1845) ADDITIONAL SUGGESTED ITEMS Soldering Iron Holder/Cleaner (RS-64-2078) Holder for PC Board/Parts (RS64-2094) Desoldering Braid (RS-2090) ASSEMBLY INSTRUCTIONS The following assembly steps are given in accord with the LEARN-ASYOU-BUILD philosophy for Ramsey Kits. To the extent that is reasonably possible, parts are installed in the order of signal flow as depicted on the schematic diagram, with some discussion of the components whenever useful. Because the MAXIMUM is of great interest to people who simply enjoy shortwave listening and VHF monitoring, experienced ham operators should understand that our instructions are addressed to people for whom this may be their very first electronic kit project. First Assembly Steps Perform all assembly on a suitable surface which will not be damaged by hot solder. A cardboard box, cut so that it is flat tends to work well if you do not have such a surface conveniently available. We like to live under a nifty motto here at Ramsey that we think you will agree with (or will come to agree with!). "A hot soldering iron looks just the same as a cold soldering iron. " Trust me. . . Since you may appreciate some "warm-up" soldering practice as well as a chance to put some "landmarks" on the MAXIMUM PC-board, we first will install some "hardware" components, to make the up-down, left-right orientation of the PC board as clear as possible. In ALL of the following instruction steps, our word "INSTALL" means to do the following: · · Insert the part, oriented correctly, into its correct holes in the PC-board. If helpful, gently BEND the part's wire leads or tabs to hold it into place, with the body of the part snugly against the top side ("component side") of the PC-board. The top side is the side that does not contain metal traces, but does have an outline of each part printed on it. MAXIMUM · 7 MAXIMUM · 8 MAXIMUM PARTS LAYOUT DIAGRAM MAXIMUM · 9 · · SOLDER ALL wires or pins of the part, whether the 2 wires of a resistor or the 3 or 4 wires of a transistor. Prepare a reliable coaxial cable with the right connectors to run from the antenna input of your receiver or scanner to the RF output of the MAXIMUM (RCA male plug required). If you do not have them at hand, a visit to Radio Shack should easily get you what you need. Make a simple "supplementary portable antenna" of any design which is practical for YOU. Use a small-diameter coaxial cable neatly terminated in a male RCA male plug to mate J1. This antenna can be a dipole, or random wire with earth ground or counterpoise, a bigger vertical whip of some kind, a Slinky, or even a pair of alligator clips at the end of your coax line, ready to be clipped to any large metal surface that may be handy, from screen doors to bed springs!This accessory for your MAXIMUM will help you explore the truth of "Ramsey's Antenna Rule" in a variety of travel situations: "If you want more signal, put up more metal!" A Caution to Ham, Maritime and CB Operators: If you are using the MAXIMUM to boost reception on a transceiver of any kind, MAXIMUM · 12 rather than only a receiver or scanner, make sure it is not possible to transmit by accidentally pressing a mike button or CW keyer. Transmitted RF into the MAXIMUM is likely to ruin one or both of the transistors. Transistor Placement Information: Both transistors may be ordered from Ramsey Electronics, but they also may be found at a local electronics parts distributor. You may use either "SK" or "ECG" replacements: 3N201 = ECG454 or SK3991 2SC2498 = ECG10 or SK9139 LED Power On Indicator A visual power on indicator can be an enjoyable and practical enhancement of your completed kit. LEDs (Light Emitting Diodes) are available at low cost and are ideal for this purpose, providing you don't mind the extra current drain. Voltage for a standard LED is easily taken from the appropriate top terminal of S2. [. . . ] We hope you will enjoy your MAXIMUM in a wide variety of listening and monitoring situations. Ask for our free catalog, where there are plenty more kits ideally suited for you! MAXIMUM · 14 The Ramsey Kit Warranty Please read carefully BEFORE calling or writing in about your kit. The very fact that your kit includes this new manual is your assurance that a team of knowledgeable people have field-tested several "copies" of this kit straight from the Ramsey Inventory. If you need help, please read through your manual carefully, all information required to properly build and test your kit is contained within these pages! [. . . ]